Chronicle-Independent

08/08/2025

C-I TRAFFIC ALERT: Right lane on I-20 East to be closed starting Sunday night

The S.C. Department of Transportation just released the following information concerning I-20 eastbound over the Wateree Bridge in Kershaw County:

SCDOT will conduct a continuous right lane closure on the I-20 eastbound bridge over the Wateree River in Kershaw County beginning at 7 p.m. on Aug. 10 (Sunday). These right lane closures will allow crews to conduct bridge rehabilitation work.

The closures are expected to last until 1 p.m. on August 14. The work will take place between mile markers 95 and 97.

SCDOT asks that drivers slow down and pay attention when driving near the work zone. Drivers are encouraged to plan their route ahead with the 511SC App or at 511sc.org.

Drivers should expect delays and seek alternate routes if possible.

08/05/2025

C-I TRAFFIC/WEATHER ALERT: Camden dealing with road closures

Via its Camden Connect mobile app, the city has just alerted citizens that due to today's heavy rain, there are two road closures:

1. On Broad Street, toward Dusty Bend -- there is an emergency road repair taking place due to a sewer issue in the 1400 block of Broad Street. There is a lane restriction and with an arrow board currently in place. SCDOT has been notified and crews are working to get this fixed as quickly as possible.

2. West DeKalb Street, near NAPA -- Crews our working on a water line break that has one of the eastbound lanes closed. The city is urging drivers to plan for an extended repair time as they work around the changing weather conditions and excavation necessary to do this.

Drivers are urged to plan alternate routes and expect some delays.

08/04/2025

From the C-I "Let's get this right this time" files: Camden City Council to hold work session on Monday, Aug. 11 (a week from today)

Council will meet in a work session Monday, Aug. 11 in order to enter executive session to discuss possible amendments to the city's moratorium ordinance. We'll have news from that meeting in an upcoming edition. (Thanks to all for helping us make this correction; we appreciate it.)

07/31/2025

C-I BREAKING NEWS: Heflin arrested again on s*x-related allegations

Late this afternoon, the S.C. State Law Enforcement Divisions (SLED) announced that it had arrested former Camden Military Academy Dean of Students and current Bethune Town Councilman John Heflin on four more charges in connection with s*x crimes allegedly perpetrated against a student from the academy. In this case, the charges stem from alleged actions more than 10 years ago, in 2014, involving a former student who is now an adult.

Heflin was booked at the Kershaw County Detention Center earlier today on one charge each of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, disseminating harmful materials to minors, third-degree criminal s*xual conduct with a minor and second-degree criminal s*xual conduct with a minor. He is held without bond for the criminal s*xual conduct charges and a total of $22,500 for the contribution on harmful material charges. (The picture of him is from that arrest.)

This is the second time Heflin has been arrested on charges of this nature. SLED previously arrested Heflin in late September 2024 for criminal solicitation of a minor involving a then-current student with allegations from 2022 up until the time of Heflin's arrest. He was later released on a $5,000 personal recognizance bond and reportedly has not attended a Bethune Town Council meeting since then.

The C-I will have a full story in Tuesday's edition and on our website.

07/29/2025

UPDATED C-I POWER ALERT

UPDATE (6:50 p.m.): U.S. 1 has been reopened and power restored to the Lakeshore Drive area, according to the city's latest alert on its mobile app, Camden Connect. However, individuals are still reporting power out in that area. That may be due to the fact that crews are still making repairs in the Dicey Creek/Dicey Ford Road area.

ORIGINAL UPDATE: Via its Camden Connect mobile app, the city of Camden has just reported that power has been restored to the east Camden area except for the Lakeshore Drive area. It also reported that U.S. 1 is still blocked between Hasty Road and Gardner Street.

Meanwhile, areas around Dicey Creek, Red Fox Road and U.S. 1 are still reported to be without power.

07/29/2025

UPDATED TO INCLUDE ROAD CLOSURE -- C-I NEWS BRIEF: Power outages reported in Camden

UPDATE: All four lanes of U.S. 1 are now closed between Hasty Road and Gardner Street due to downed power lines. Please seek an alternative route.

ORIGINAL BRIEF: Due to the storm we're experiencing, the city of Camden is reporting via its Connect Camden mobile app that city crews are aware of power outages impacting portions of the eastern side of its electric system. Outages are affecting areas from the KFC on East DeKalb Street to Black River Avenue, and between Dicey Creek and York Street. Officials said officials are working safely to make repairs. They also asked residents and travelers to be aware of downed trees and utilities blocking roadways.

07/26/2025

Leon Carl Howard III (pictured), the man wanted in connection with the June 19 vehicle chase that ended with a collision with a deputy's patrol vehicle, is now in custody after being arrested in Rock Hill on a shoplifting charge -- and after another chase. Check out the shared post by the Kershaw County Sheriff's Office for more.

07/24/2025

C-I MISSING PERSONS UPDATE: Missing runaway located safe

The Camden Police Department is reporting that a missing runaway officers were looking for in recent days has been located and is safe.

🚨 UPDATE: LOCATED SAFE 🚨

We are relieved to share that the individual from our recent advisory has been safely located.

Thank you to everyone who shared the post, provided tips, and assisted in this case. Your support makes a difference!

07/23/2025

Here's an extra sports story for you today from the C-I as Post 17 keeps moving toward a state title. Check it out -- only on our website!

For a program that did not make its first American Legion State Tournament appearance until 2014, Kershaw County Post 17 is making a habit of playing in the event.

07/22/2025

Logan Crain had a home run and drove in four runs in Post 17’s 13-1 win over Lancaster last Monday. One night later, he added another single in a 10-5 victory over Post 31. Catch up on all the sports action beginning on page B1 of today's C-I and, of course, over on our website at https://www.pmg-sc.com/camden/article_387aaea2-5184-57b5-a3b1-787a52b8df06.html

07/22/2025

Look who's back in the C-I! It's columnist Tammy Davis, starting with the first of a humorous multi-part look at a trip she took to Las Vegas. Check out page A2 of today's edition and, of course, on our website.

Departure

07/22/2025

C-I TRAFFIC ALERT: Collision with entrapment at Old Stagecoach and Park roads closes street

Please see the alert from the Kershaw County Fire Service warning folks to find an alternative route.

UPDATE: All units have cleared the scene and roadway is back open.

⚠️TRAFFIC ADVISORY OLD STAGECOACH⚠️

KCFS and KCEMS are on scene with a motor vehicle accident with entrapment on Old Stagecoach at Park Rd. Old Stagecoach is currently closed.

Seek an alternate route.